Written By Amber Bowman
If you or a loved one are aging at home and are in need an exciting addition to your daily routine, consider gardening! Gardening is not only enjoyable, it has several health benefits. Below are six benefits for gardening and how you can start today.
- Exercise: Gardening requires physical effort, which can help get in recommended exercise. Digging, planting, and weeding can improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Maintaining your overall physical health can reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Mental health: Gardening has a calming effect on your brain, and can be an effective stress reliever. It can also combat loneliness and depression, as it provides an opportunity for social interaction with neighbors and fellow gardeners.
- Improved nutrition: Growing your own fruits and vegetables can help you eat healthy. People who garden are more likely to eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, which can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Sense of accomplishment: Watching plants grow can be a satisfying and rewarding experience that boosts self-esteem and confidence.
- Cognitive function: Gardening helps with challenging your memory, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. The act of planning, planting, and caring for a garden requires attention to detail and the ability to follow a sequence of steps, which can help improve cognitive function and slow down the progression of cognitive decline. Certain colors and smells of flowers can even help bring back memories!
- Increased exposure to sunlight: Gardening helps you spend time outdoors and get exposure to natural sunlight which is a great source of vitamin D and essential for bone health and immune function. Time spent in the sun can also help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, which is important for loved ones with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
How To Start
Gardening is a low-cost activity so all you need are some pots, soil, and seeds or plants. When starting your garden it’s best to use raised flower beds. This prevents bending over and anything that can be a danger to falling. If you do not have space or a yard, you can start certain plants or herbs in pots on a porch or even in a easy to reach window sill. Herbs are great because once grown you can incorporate them in your cooking. It’s such a great feeling eating a food in which you grew yourself.
Also, when setting up your garden space make sure you have places to sit. Set up a chair or bench where you water or prune in case you become fatigued. It’s also best to work when the sun isn’t blaring hot to avoid getting overheated.
If you have help with a family member or in-home caregiver, gardening is a great activity to do together especially if you have limited mobility. In addition, there are many in-home gardening kits you can utilize. One company, Gardyn, has an AI powered indoor garden that grows up to 30 plants year round! It is minimal effort with the same reward- homegrown fresh veggies.
In conclusion, gardening is an excellent activity for seniors that provides many physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. Whether growing your own produce, tending to flowers, or simply enjoying the outdoors, gardening is an activity that can enhance your overall well-being and quality of life. To find the perfect gardening partner for yourself or an aging loved one, give Synergy a call today!
